FRIEND, Neb. - From the literal first play of the game, Exeter-Milligan/Friend was in control: the Bobcats (3-3) returned the game's opening kickoff for a touchdown and never trailed in the game, scoring touchdowns on all but two of their possessions to pull away from Tri County (2-4) 60-22, a resounding win in the final home game of the season in Friend. 

AJ Mueller's kick return - EMF's first special teams score of the season - was the literal kickstarter for an explosive, efficient outing from EMF: after those eight points went on the board 12 seconds into the contest, the Bobcats never looked back. EMF led for quite literally the entire game from then on, scoring touchdowns on seven of their nine possessions and converting two-pointers on six of their eight scores. 

The Bobcat defense forced Tri County into a three-and-out on the first actual series of the game, and, with a short field, EMF quickly found the end zone for the first time on offense with a short plunge from top receiver Truman Milton. Tri County kept pace for much of the first half, carried once again by their running game: feature backs Garrett Smidt and Owen Lewandowski, with quarterback Trevor Kapke at the controls and an offensive line reinforced by the return of Chance Cunningham. 

But even three combined rushing scores from Lewandowski and Smidt were nowhere near enough to keep the Trojans in the mix as the contest went on. Smidt's first score, a 56-yard burst right after Milton's score, made it 16-8. EMF answered right back with a long run from quarterback Will Kallhoff. After Tri County turned in its first defensive stop of the game, the offense countered with a long drive that Lewandowski finished off to make it 24-14 midway through the second quarter. 

And then the Bobcats completely seized control, scoring 30 straight points between the end of the second quarter and the start of the fourth to put the result beyond all doubt. Moments after Tri County's second score, EMF dipped into the bag of tricks, letting Milton air out a touchdown pass for senior Brett Kallhoff on senior night. Not to be outdone, younger brother Will Kallhoff followed that immediately with his second long touchdown, and then Mueller took a screen pass 50-plus yards to the house - in a matter of minutes, EMF turned a 24-14 lead into a 46-14 edge at the break. 

Mueller scored his third touchdown of the day to start the second half, which turned on the running clock for the remainder of the contest. Smidt broke off another impressive run to score his ninth rushing touchdown of the season, though EMF swiftly canceled that out courtesy of a rushing score from freshman Dane Anderson in the closing minutes, putting the finishing touches on an impressive and comprehensive 60-22 victory for the Bobcats in their final home game of the season. 

GAME SUMMARY

TRI COUNTY (2-4): 8 6 0 8 - 22

EMF (3-3):              24 22 8 6 - 60